Leopard 2A6M CAN

[Richard55]

For me that's usually the goal, but in practice I usually end up building a good deal of the track after the rest of the model is already finished


That is really bad, though. AFV Club's plastic T142s, the ones with the octagonal blocks, are quite good and very easy to assemble; too bad their "T97s" are actually T107s and not suitable for M48s-series vehicles (other than the M88 ARV). They are the right thing to put on Takom's M103 heavy tank, though.

Thats good to read.Ive got a couple of T142 sets for my M60 family of kits so phew.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
One length done and 30 links of the second track to do, and still sane - at least my analyist tells me....
In between have been sorting out some of the etch ready to assemble and put in place, and just had an idea that I might cut down the full size slat armour into the late sets used, which were basically four slats removed from the bottom of each section, yes, that sounds like a good idea and will be different....
More pics to follow
Cheers
Mike.
PS, thanks for all the suggestions and comments - all are most welcome.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Update,
Today is a day of celebration, the tracks are finally assembled - would I do another set of these RFM 3D tracks, I think I would rather be a bee keeper in a nudist colony is the answer....

And some brass work on the rear of the hull....

More tomorrow.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Steve Jones SMS]

This isn't you then Mike??

 

[TimM63]

Update,
Today is a day of celebration, the tracks are finally assembled - would I do another set of these RFM 3D tracks, I think I would rather be a bee keeper in a nudist colony is the answer....
View attachment 127596

And some brass work on the rear of the hull....

View attachment 127597
More tomorrow.
Cheers
Mike

Those are awfully clean mats you have there. You should spill a paint bottle or something so they look normal. LOL

 

[Edbert]

Those are awfully clean mats you have there. You should spill a paint bottle or something so they look normal. LOL

I think Mike is the one who recommended putting white paper down for each kit to protect the mats.

 

[Down Time]

This is an interesting build, I like the techniques.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Those are awfully clean mats you have there. You should spill a paint bottle or something so they look normal. LOL

That is my Sunday going to church one, this is my daily one that no matter how clean you are one touch and you need a bath....

 

[Scratchbuilder]

This isn't you then Mike??


View attachment 127602

Needs more work on the love handles and six pint belly....

 

[Andy T]

Needs more work on the love handles and six pint belly....

Mine is more of a Party Seven these days...

 

[JOHN R]

That is my Sunday going to church one, this is my daily one that no matter how clean you are one touch and you need a bath....
View attachment 127616

That's more like it.
Bet your glad those tracks are done, why didn't you ask

 

[Richard55]

This isn't you then Mike??


View attachment 127602

Good lord.Imagine getting a good ol sting on the old Tally whacker.Ouch lol

 

[iandrewmartin]

Update,
So the air intakes were completed by first cutting them out and cementing them into position lower down to give some depth... and painting them matt black and highlighting the raised detail with aluminium paint drybrushed across... Then the first 'spider web' etch was laid acrods the opening and drybrushed again with aluminium, and finall the top mesh was added...
View attachment 126702

Outstanding work. That makes such a difference to the look of the part. How did you cut the original part out? I imagine a circle cutter.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Outstanding work. That makes such a difference to the look of the part. How did you cut the original part out? I imagine a circle cutter.

Many thanks for your comments.
On the RFM kit the hole is already there, so thankfully no messing around trying to get the hole correct and clean.

 

[iandrewmartin]

Many thanks for your comments.
On the RFM kit the hole is already there, so thankfully no messing around trying to get the hole correct and clean.

That is a thoughtful manufacturer.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

So back on with the build after a little detour, will be bouncing back and forth between this and the Tiger...

I had been trying different thickness of tissue to get a workable solution for the thermal blanket that the Barracuda is sewn onto. Previously I had used a two-part putty - Milliput/A&B, but found that mixing it, then putting talcum powder into a plastic bag to take away the surface stickiness, followed by the mixed Milliput/A&B, then rolling it out to a workable thickness, then shaping it and making it fit, then all the cleanup while it set a PITA....

And so the tissue is the next item to try and it is two pieces as it came off the roll, cut to size and a solution of PVA and water 50/50 approx. The tissue is held in place with the PVA and a soft brush used to gently apply more PVA. There is no quantity of PVA, just keep putting it on untill the tissue is soaked but not dripping as the water will take away the tissue by disolving it.

And here it is above wet and being shaped and gently pushed into place and will be left overnight to dry...

And this is it now dry and ready for trimming and removing carefully, and in one piece - hopefully...
More later,
Mike

 

[Scratchbuilder]

More...

And here it is removed and trimmed, now for the rest of the kit.

I will be painting the vehicle before I add the tissue 'thermal blanket' in NATO Green, and then once the 'blanket' is fitted this will be in a desert sand colour...
Cheers
Mike

 

[BOATMAN]

HI MIKE will be followin your armour build as its so funny in places thats how it used to be on the old site a gave me a good laugh also a nice build an have you any hair left or have you started on the pussy lol
chrisb

 

[JOHN R]

Nice update Mike, I've used tissue before for tarps, a great way on getting things to fold over edges with the PVA.

 

[scottie]

Mike,
cracking work as always.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

So now that I have sorted out the thermal blanket issue...
I thought I would start on getting my next project underway. Having obtained drawings and loads of photos I dug out my MENG Chieftain Mk.10 and started cutting plastic...

And build the personal ride of Mathew Newell

(Photo via M. Newel/N. Palmer.)
More on the Leopard later.

 

[Steve Jones SMS]

Nice clean work as always Mike. Great reference material is vital to any build. Lovely to see